the dangerous hoax that sent a swarm of heavily-armed police into a suburban New York home. It's the practice known as s.w.a.t.'ing. And John muller here. Good morning, John. Reporter: Good morning. The victim a 17-year-old on spring break. He was playing the popular video game call of duty, with a stranger online. Not long after that, the virtual call of duty turned into a real-life call to arms. Take a look at this frightening moment in a Long Island, New York, neighborhood. As cops swarm a home. The S.W.A.T. Team responding to a call from a teenager saying he just killed his mom. But instead of finding a crazed killer, they learned it was all an elaborate hoax. A case of what is known as s.w.a.t.'ing. S.w.a.t.'ing is hoax calls, making it believe a hostage, barricade, murder situations. Reporter: When police arrived the only guns around were of the video game variety. A real problem for us. They actually have a system, I believe, where they get points in the type of tactical response the police give. The S.W.A.T. Team. Reporter: S.w.a.t.'ing pranks have been used on some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Police swarmed Miley Cyrus' home in 2012, after receiving this fake 911 call. I shot my wife. You just shot your wife? I'm going to shoot someone else. Reporter: On Long Island, authorities confiscated the game console at the house to try to figure out the identity of the caller. The parents should pay attention to what the kids are doing online. Reporter: The teen's mother and brother are alive and well, but horrified when the police swarmed their home. Something happened. And the police come to my house. Everything is okay. I'm in shock. It's crazy. Reporter: Police think the malicious gamer behind the s.w.a.t.'ing incident probably got the teenagers home address by tracing his I.P. Address online. They continue searching for that suspect. If they find him, the charges will be anything but virtual. They have to crack down hard on this. It's so dangerous to have all those police going to the neighborhoods. And the poor mother was in the kitchen, having a cup of coffee. Police believe she had been murdered. Why do they think this is funny? It sure is. What happened to good, old

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

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